Core i5-11320H vs Core i7-9850H

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-11320H vs Core i7-9850H FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-11320H vs Core i7-9850H: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-11320H

2021

Why buy it

✅+12.7% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 28W instead of 45W, a 17W reduction.
✅25% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9850H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Core i7-9850H

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (5,000 vs 5,633).
❌60.7% higher power demand at 45W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11320H better than Core i7-9850H?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9850H is ahead with a 8.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11320H pulls ahead with 12.7% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i7-9850H also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11320H is the stronger fit. You are getting 12.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-11320H still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-11320H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 12.7% better Geekbench multi-core.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-11320H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11320H vs Core i7-9850H Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-11320H

The Core i5-11320H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 June 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-H35 (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,879 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-9850H

The Core i7-9850H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,862 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11320H packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-9850H offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-9850H has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-11320H versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-9850H — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-9850H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-11320H uses the Tiger Lake-H35 (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Core i7-9850H uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11320H scores 10,879 against the Core i7-9850H's 10,862 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-11320H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,447 vs 1,250, a 14.6% lead for the Core i5-11320H that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,633 vs 5,000 (11.9% advantage for the Core i5-11320H). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i5-11320H vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850H.

Feature	Core i5-11320H	Core i7-9850H
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.6 GHz+2%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake-H35 (2021)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	10,879	10,862
Cinebench R23 Multi	5,852	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,447+16%	1,250
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,633+13%	5,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11320H uses the FCBGA1449 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core i7-9850H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11320H versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9850H — the Core i5-11320H supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-9850H supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11320H) vs 16 (Core i7-9850H) — the Core i5-11320H offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i5-11320H) and HM370,CM246 (Core i7-9850H).

Feature	Core i5-11320H	Core i7-9850H
Socket	FCBGA1449	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+25%	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-11320H supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11320H) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9850H). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Xe Graphics (96 EU) (Core i5-11320H) and Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Core i7-9850H) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11320H targets Productivity, Core i7-9850H targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-11320H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H.

Feature	Core i5-11320H	Core i7-9850H
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Xe Graphics (96 EU)	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Productivity	High Performance Laptop